The partners who opened the popular Heights eatery in August 2015 are now at odds with a lawsuit between them and a pending joint project apparently off the table.

According to a petition filed in Harris County Court on Oct. 10, chef Lyle Bento is suing his Southern Goods business partner Charles Bishop claiming that Bishop "routinely utilized company funds" for his personal use without authority and brought in additional investors to Southern Goods without Bento's consent. In the lawsuit Bento is seeking $100,000.

Bishop, according to the petition "used the company funds for personal expenses, disbursed company funds to third parties for [his] expenses, and paid expenses not related to the company." Additionally, the petition states that Bishop "knowingly provided false financial information to [Bento] in order to induce [Bento] to invest in Southern Goods while Bishop divested Southern Goods of its assets."

The two are expected in court on Oct. 17 for a hearing on a temporary restraining order requested by Bento to prevent Bishop from "selling, transferring, or otherwise disposing any of Southern Goods' real or personal property."

While not commenting on the merits of the lawsuit, Bishop remained optimistic about the outcome. "It's a difference of opinion on how things work," he said Thursday. "We're going to work it out. He'll work out his thoughts and I'll work out my thoughts."

Bishop said he intends to remain active in Southern Goods as co-owner.

Bento, who said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit, also suggested that Southern Goods will continue operations as is (Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook gave it a positive two-star review in November 2015).

The two, however, will no longer partner together in a new Heights restaurant, 60 Pioneers, that the announced to the Chronicle in June. That project, at 911 W. 11th St., was a restaurant inspired by Texas history.

Bishop, who said his name is on the lease, said he will continue the project under a different name and a new chef.

"I wish him the best of luck going forward on that project," Bento said. "I just won't be part of it."